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Thursday, August 3, 2017

[Throwback Review]: "A Hunger Like No Other"

Today's Throwback Review is for one that Jen first read years ago, but it's been so long that rereading it now was almost like starting from scratch.Verdict: It was just as fantastic the second time around!

Acclaimed author Kresley Cole introduces a sizzling new series with this tale of a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire—unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death.A mythic warrior who'll stop at nothing to possess her...
After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he's waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him.A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy...
Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae—and their notorious dark desires—ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings.An all-consuming desire...
Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?

*This is now listed as book 2 because the prequel novella has been changed to book 1

Is there somewhere on
the internet where we’ve clearly delineated the process by which some pieces of
pop culture seem dated, while others become vintage? And how old does something
have to be before we start deciding what’s going to make that cut? It seems to
me that a decade is about the right amount of time...and it’s hard to believe
that Kresley Cole’s A Hunger Like No Otheris in the zone. It was
published in 2006, and the series is still going strong---and I think this
book will be a classic.

A Hunger Like No Otheris a paranormal romance, exploring the world of
the Lore, the name for the multiple races of supernatural creatures. Lachlain
is the King of the Lykae, or werewolves. He’s been taken captive by vampires
and tortured for 15 decades in catacombs under Paris. One day, though, he
catches the scent of his mate, and desperate to find the woman he’s been hoping
to find for centuries, he escapes (it’s gruesome) only to discover that she’s a
vampire. Emmaline Troy is a baby as immortals go, only seventy years old. She’s
sweet, untested, and completely unprepared to be claimed by a sworn enemy of
her coven.

If you are not a fan of
the “mated by destiny” trope, then this book is not for you. However, I really
love these stories. It's basically the equivalent of firing Cupid’s arrows at two
people and then trapping them in an elevator together. I don’t know what it
says about me, but I just love seeing characters tortured by fate. What do
people learn about who they really are when they are backed against a wall? In
this case, it’s fun to watch Emma learn she’s stronger than she thinks. She’s
always thought of herself as meek and mild, but surprises herself by refusing
to be pushed around by Lachlain. And although Lachlain has a powerful urge to
claim his mate, he’s determined to woo her and win her rather than bend her to
his will. Eventually, they learn to accept each other and to accept themselves.

The book is also
successful at marrying the romance and action plots in a balanced, satisfying
way. A war is brewing between the different classes of creatures, and Lachlain
and Emma are torn between their new relationship, their rival clans, and
outside threats. Emma knows that she can vanquish her own enemies, but
she is determined to fight her own battles instead of relying on her mate to
save her. I love Kresley Cole for writing a book where the relationship makes
Emma stronger and more confident. I especially love a book where the female
character is the star of the action sequences, and not just an afterthought
shrieking in a corner until it’s all over.

A Hunger Like No Otherhas so much going on, but it was easier to
follow with the summary of the various races and their abilities at the
beginning of the book. Obviously, this first installment was laying the
groundwork for a series, although I doubt Kresley Cole suspected it would still
be going strong ten years and 15+ books later. Even though I enjoyed this book
a lot, I don’t know if I will keep reading about Kresley Cole’s immortals. It’s
funny how a series of 3 or 4 books seems manageable, but once I know I’m on
the hook for 15 more books, I’m hesitant to continue. My library only has a few
of them digitally, and with each book being $7, buying the entire series would
cost almost $150! However, the supporting characters are so compelling and
interesting, I’m sure I’ll want to read at least a few more.

5 STARS!

~ * ~ * ~ Jen bought this book.

~ * ~ * ~

Thanks for the review, Jen!I adored this series! I really should do a reread of the series -- and then finally catch up on the last . . . 4, I think? Such a fantastic world, and I love the humor and snark, as well as everything else you point out.By the way, dear readers: I highly, HIGHLY rec this series in audio, too. Robert Petkoff has an amazing voice and does a fantastic job with the performance. His Scottish accents for his heroes in particular are totally swoon-worthy. I mean, total eargasm listening to these audiobooks, trust me! :)Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on August 31st for a chance to WIN an ecopy of your own!

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Reviewing: Unless otherwise stated, generally the books we review on TBQ's Book Palace were sent from a publisher/author for us to review. We are not paid to review said book, We receive the book for free, and in exchange provide an honest, but accurate, review. We do not make biased reviews because we received the book free of charge.